At the gates in the outer walls, vigilance and control had relaxed considerably compared with the last time he had been there. He had been stopped because he had been carrying two bows at his back, although after identifying himself as a Ranger he had been allowed in without any more ado. He was glad to find that the atmosphere of war had largely faded, which was a good sign, one that augured peace and prosperity. That was what the kingdom needed now: to be able to forget about the war, to look forward with optimism and be able to focus on rebuilding and prospering. It would take time, but he was sure they would manage it.
The streets of the city were full of people. Among them he saw very few soldiers and many traders, which was very hopeful. The inhabitants went this way and that, doing their shopping, working, carrying out tasks and running errands. Lasgol was delighted to see all those people going about their business. It was like a huge beehive in which the bees labored endlessly to make it succeed. At the end of the main street, he could see the royal castle. Now things would be different there, since the Court with all its nobles – and especially King Thoran and his brother Orten – were there. Lasgol hoped he was wrong, but his gut feeling told him that both rulers were far from ideal for Norghana. Unfortunately, this was how things had turned out, and they had to be accepted. Thoran was king, and all Norghana was under his control.
He sighed, hoping that he was wrong, and that a period of peace and prosperity was beginning under Thoran’s rule.
At the entrance of the castle, he had to identify himself as a Ranger again to the King’s guard in order to gain admittance. The officer at the door directed him to the stables and the Rangers’ Tower, and though he already knew the way, he expressed his thanks for the help and went on.
He left Trotter in the royal stables, where he would be well looked after. He knew the pony loved the excellent treatment he was given there.
Enjoy yourself and rest, he transmitted.
Trotter neighed and allowed a stable-lad to lead him away.
Lasgol slung his travel-bag over his shoulder and set off to the Rangers’ tower. He had expected to find the barracks inside the castle more or less deserted now that the war had ended, but he could not have been more mistaken. There were soldiers everywhere, practicing with spears and war-axes. He stopped in surprise and watched them. There were more than a thousand of them. Could they be at war with Zangria, and the news had not yet reached him? Maybe Thoran had become more paranoid than he was already and had decided to give the castle more protection, which was possible.
As he neared the tower he saw several Rangers talking among themselves. Probably they knew what was going on, so he decided to ask them. The Royal Rangers were not particularly forthcoming, but at least he hoped that they would be polite enough to a Ranger Specialist like himself. He took out the two medallions he wore around his neck so that they would be visible, and had almost reached them when he realized that one of them was not a Royal Ranger.
“Nilsa!” he cried in delight.
The redhead stopped talking to the group she was with and turned. When she recognized Lasgol, her expression changed to one of amazement.
“Lasgol! I can’t believe it!” In three quick steps she hurled herself at him and gave him a hug that almost knocked him over.
“I’m very glad to see you too!” Lasgol said, laughing and at the same time trying to keep his balance.
“What a surprise!” she cried, and began to bounce up and down as she held his shoulders.
Lasgol was smiling happily. “You’ve no idea how happy I am to see you too.”
“Are Ona and Camu with you?” she asked. She was looking behind him in case Camu was nearby.
He nodded. She covered her mouth and whispered in his ear. “Is Camu here?”
“No, don’t worry. I left him with Ona in the oak wood outside the city. I can’t bring Ona into the city, and she didn’t want to be alone, so Camu offered to stay with her.”
“Poor thing. She’s so beautiful, and that was so good of Camu. He’s mischievous, but he has a kind heart.
He smiled. “They’re both very good, actually, although Camu drives me crazy at times.”
“Like me, then,” she said, and laughed.
Lasgol laughed too. “Not at all. You have a special charm.”
“Yeah, a clumsy one,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been called to be given a mission.”
“Here? To the capital? Or are you on your way to somewhere else?”
“Here.” He glanced up at the tower.
“Then it must be something important,” Nilsa said, and wagged her finger at him to emphasize the fact.
“Really? What d’you know?”
Nilsa looked around, then moved away from the soldiers of the guard so that they would not be overheard.
“I don’t know anything for sure, but I’m picking up a lot of rumors, seeing I’m Gondabar’s liaison and messenger, you know that … By the way, just so you know, our Leader wasn’t annoyed with me when he sent me to the front and dispensed with my services, he did it so that I could serve Gatik. Although the First Ranger didn’t pay any attention to me and didn’t use me as his personal messenger, which is what Gondabar had meant him to. The Leader himself told me about it when I came back after the war and took up my service again. In fact, he was quite surprised that Gatik hadn’t used
